Can’t believe I have been in Gold Beach for two years, I guess years become shorter and shorter as I grow older. I remember driving in to town for the first time and thinking, “I know nothing about this place, and pretty soon, I’ll know everything.” I have come to know most of the town, but I was wrong, I am still discovering new faces and places. When I moved here I was pretty focused on all the new faces and places. There was plenty of faces, including the 183 students I started with. And there was plenty of places, in fact way more places than faces in the incredibly remote south coast. What I didn’t know was, amidst the most beautiful spot on the pacific coast, the bulk of my discovery and adventure was to be inward. After five years of college, I was ready for a beautiful place to take a look inside; uninhibited by authority and influence. On my journey to Gold Beach, I had a fleeting thought that I could be anyone I wanted upon arrival. Interestingly enough, I didn’t change anything. In fact I found myself being more like myself than ever before; rarely beside myself.

The community in Gold Beach has treated me like family since my arrival. I could never have imagined the warm welcome and continued support that Gold Beach has offered me. Leaving home was the hardest thing I have done. I don’t see it as leaving though. All of the wonderful people and experiences I had there are so much a part of who I am. I took them with me.